White House Touts Trump’s Marijuana Rescheduling Order As A Top ‘Win’ During His First Year Back In Office

OG article by Tom Angell

January 22, 2026

The White House highlighted President Donald Trump’s executive order to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III as a major achievement in his first year back in office. Listed as item 305 under “Making America Healthy Again,” the order directs agencies to expedite the shift, aiming to boost medical research and patient access. Signed last month, it instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to advance the process, though the DOJ has issued no updates or timelines. Bondi, historically opposed to reform, was absent from the signing and missed a congressional research barrier deadline. The DEA notes a pending appeal process, and experts indicate the DOJ could delay or reject via restarted reviews. Sen. Cory Booker criticized the administration’s inconsistent messaging. GOP efforts to block rescheduling via amendment failed. Separately, a National Bureau of Economic Research study found recreational legalization linked to modest agricultural employment gains, especially for Hispanics and those over 30 in states like California and Colorado. The rescheduling remains a touted “win” amid ongoing uncertainties.